Combination screen and storm window



Dec. 6, 1960 P. D. DANIELS ETAL 2,963,084

COMBINATION scmssn AND STORM wmoow Filed Feb. 4. 1960 mu m olu smm Mm w H 6 L w ,A A WM w 52 m: WWM

.stacking of the windows States mm;

r 2,963,084 COMBlNATION SCREEN AND STORM WINDOW Phillip D. Daniels, 18604 W. Chicago, Detroit, Mich.,

and Donald H. Hug, 29903 Beacontree Road, Farmington, Mich.

Filed Feb. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 6,728

7 20 Claims. (Cl. 16090) The present invention relates to a combination screen and storm window. More particularly, it relates to a novel side rail for a combination window having a novel prior art windows cannot be conveniently stacked on the dealers shelves without the danger of the windows sliding about in the stack with resultant breakage of the glass panels. The added cost of shipment, the glass breakage factor, and the inconvenience of storage on dealers shelves, has meant that prior art combination windows have remained, for the most part, a locally manufactured item provided to order.

The novelty and the. key to the success of the combination screen and storm window of the present invention is that a number of such windows can be stacked,

oneon top of the other without breakage of the glass panels and with a significant reduction in the height of the stack. This makes the combination window of the present invention a product that can be manufactured in mass production quantity at a single plant and economically shipped all over the country. In such quantities of manufacture, and with such ease of shipment and reduction in glass breakage, the combination window of the present invention may be priced at much less than I a comparable prior art combination window. The reduced price plus the ease of handling and storage by the dealer makes the combination window of the present .invention a hardware item that can profitably be sold by hardware stores and similar retail outlets. To the best of our knowledge this is an entirely new approach to the marketing of such combination windows.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a combination screen and storm window which is adapted to mass production manufacture and shipment and storage in quantities with a minimum of breakage of the glass panels.

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel side rail for the frame of a combination screen and storm window having a cross sectional configuration that permits with protection for the glass panels thereof.

. Another object of our present invention is to provide a side rail. for the frame of a combination screen and storm window that includes novel means for conveniently assemblingthe frame, afiixing the screen therein, and removably receiving the glass panel portion.

' Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

2,963,084 Patented Dec. 6, 1960 In the drawings:

I Fig. 1 is apartial perspective view, partially in cross section, showing two combination windows embodying the present invention stacked one on top of the other, the glass and screen being omitted from the upper franie for clarity,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one side of a combination window of Fig. l and continued in perspective to show the clips utilized to hold the glass panel in place, I

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of one corner of a combination window frame of the present invention,

Fig. 4 is an end view of the side rails of Figs. 1-3 with portions omitted for clarity and,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a modification of the side rail of the present invention.

Fig, 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a further modification of the side rail of the present invention and alternate mounting means. Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawing it can be seen that the combination screen and storm window of the present invention comprises a frame 10 made up of side rails 12. In the frame there is mounted the screening 14 and the glass panel 16 is removably positioned in the frame by the clips 18 or other suitable means.

For convenience, the combination window is illustrated in a horizontal position. It is to be understood that when affixed to the window of a house the combination window would be in a vertical position. However, it is most convenient to describe and claim the combination window of the present invention in ahorizontal position, as illustrated in the drawings, with the screen toward the bottom and the removable glass panel on top.

Also, it is to be noted a rectangular frame is illustrated in the drawings since this is the most common shape of house windows. However, it is within the contemplation .of the present invention to provide a frame of the necessary geometry to fit any shape of house window. Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a cross section of one side of a combination window of Fig 1 showing in enlarged scale the structural details thereof. The side rail 12 may be conveniently manufactured as an extruded aluminum section. The outside .wall of the side rail comprises a lower wall 20 and an upper wall 22 spaced inwardly therefrom but extending in a parallel plane. The upper edge of the lower wall 20 and the lower edge of the upper wall 22 are joined by a shoulder 24 normal to both walls. The foot or bottom edge of the lower wall 20 is provided with an outwardly extending mounting flange 26. This flange is utilized to secure the combination window of the present invention to the frame of a house window. This is accomplished by placing the combination window against the house window frame and drilling through the flange 26 into the house window frame to provide for the insertion of self tapping metal screws or similar fastening means. The foot of lower Wall 20 is also provided with an inward extension 28. The purpose of this inward extension is to increase the effective width of the foot of lower wall 20. As illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 4, the effective width of the foot of lower wall 20, i.e., the distance from the outer extremity of the wall to the inner extremity of extension 28, is indicated as the dimension X. The width of the shoulder 24, i.e., the distance from the outer extremity of upper wall 22 to the outer extremity of the shoulder, is indicated as the dimension Y. The dimension X is greater than one half .of the dimension Y but -.less than Y. When two congruent frames aremadefrom the rails 12, for instance rectangularframes as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the draw- .ings, this relationship between the dimensions X and Y permits the frames to be stacked one on top of the other with the foot of wall 20 of the upper frame positioned on the shoulder '24 of the lower frame in such a manner that the upper frame will not slide sufliciently to one side or the other, or from one end to the other, a sufficient distance toallow thefoot of wall 20 to slide off the shoulder 24. .This relationship of the dimensions -,of

congruent frames'is illustrated in Fig. 1 .byihe dimensions E, F and G. E indicates ,the distance across the frame between the inner .extremities of the lower wall 20. F indicates the distance across the frame between the-outer extremities of the upper wall 22. G indicates the distance from'the outer extremity of wall 22 on one side of the frame across the frame to the outer extremity of lower wall 20 on the other side of the frame. E is greater thanF but less than G. Thus, should the upper frame slide to one side or the other in relation to the lower frame it cannot move enough to allow the foot of lower wall 20 of the upper frame to drop off the shoulder 24 of the lower frame.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be noted that the upper wall 22 forms the outer side wall of a double downwardly opening channel 30 defined by the .side wall 22, an upper wall 32 and the interior side wall 34. The channel is divided into two longitudinally extending parts 30a and 30b by a center rib 36 depending downwardly from the upper wall 32 intermediate the side walls of the channel. The outermost portion 30a of the channel 30 is utilized at the ends of the rails to receive a corner bracket 38, as shown in Fig. 3, to retain the rails in assembled position to form a frame. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the ends of the rails are mitered and-the corner bracket is :inserted in the channels 30a and the walls defining the channel 30a are crimped downwardly against the corner bracket.

The inner portion 30b of the channel 30 is utilized in a conventional manner to afiix screening in the frame. This is accomplished by stretching the screening 40 across the frame with its edges extending into the channels 30b and then forcing into the channel 30b a retaining strip 42 to firmly clamp and retain the edges of the screen panel within the channels 30b. This retaining strip is formed of a resilient material such as vinyl or any similar material. The provision'of this inner channel 30!) for the sole purpose of afiixing the screen within the frame is an improvement over prior art devices in that previously only one channel has been provided to both retain the screen and receive the corner brackets utilized in the assembly of the frame. This has meant that in previous constructions the screen was cut away at the corner of the frames where the corner brackets were inserted into the channel or it was sheared off by the insertion of the corner brackets with the result that there was no firm affixing of the screen at the corners of the frame. By the present construction the use ofthe separate channel 30a to receive the corner brackets utilized in assembling the frame removes this point of weakness which is found in the prior art devices.

Referring again to Fig. 2 of the drawings an inwardly extending glass panel retaining lip 44 is provided in conjunction with the inner side Wall 34 of the channel 30. When the rails are assembled into a frame the lip 44 and the side wall '34 provide a recess to receive the frame 46 of a glasspanel 48. The frame 46 is a conventional simple channel that surrounds the periphery of the glass.

.,In assembling the frame 46 around the glassa conven- ;-.tional cushioning and sealing gasket 50 is utilized.

The glass panel 48 is removably retained in position in the frame by means of the clips 52 utilizing fastening means such as the self tapping metal screws 54. The screws 54 pass through the top wall 32 of the channel 30 and into the portion 30a of the channel. These clips are arranged intermediate the ends of the side rails. Here again, there is an added advantage to the use of the double channel 30 in that the fastening means 54 do not interfere with the retention of the screen in the frame or the assembly of the side rails of the frame. The clips are provided around the frame and it has generally been found that one or two on each side of the frame is sufficient.

It will be seen that with the glass panel removed the combination window of the present invention serves as a screen during the summer months and with the glass panel inserted it serves as a storm window during the winter months.

In the stacking of combination windows made according to the present invention, as has been previously described, the feet of the lower walls 20 of the rails of one frame rest on the shoulders 24 of a frame immediately therebeneath. In order that no portion of the lower frame will come in contact with the glass panel of the frame immediately thcreabove, it is necessary that in the dimensioning of the side rails the dimension indicated by the letter A in Fig. 4 of the drawing, i.e., the distance from the lower extremity of the lower wall 20 to the lowerextremity of the walls defining the channel 30 be greater than the dimension B indicated in Fig. 4. The dimension B is the distance from the top of the shoulder 24 to the furthest upward extension of any element of the frame. When utilizing the self-tapping metal screws 54 illustrated for retaining the clips 52 this upper extremity would'be the top of the head of the screws 54. The dimension A is slightly greater than the dimension B so that when the frames are stacked one on top of the other there is a clearance provided.

In constructing the window rails according to the present invention we have noted an alternate modification to accomplish the desired increase of the effective foot portion of wall 20. This modification is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing. It will there be seen that the extension 28a is provided at the top of the side of lower wall 20 and contiguous with the shoulder 24 to also increase the width of the shoulder. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5 the dimension X still remains the distance between the inner extremity of the lower wall 20 and the outer extremity thereof and the dimension Y still remains the width of the shoulder 24. The relationships in the dimensions X and Y, the dimensions E, F and G, and the dimensions A and B which have previously been described apply equally to the modification illustrated in Fig. 5.

Another modification forming a part of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 6 of .the drawings. This modification deals with an alternate method of mounting the combination screen and storm window of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, the foot of the lower wall portion 20 is provided with the inward extension 28 and also with a similar. outer extension 28b. The extension 28 produces the same dimensions X and Y as explained hereinbefore and the stacking features of a combination window utilizing the side rail of Fig. 6 are the same as hereinbefore described. In the modification shown in v Fig. 6 the combination window of the present invention is mounted by means of a turnbuckle 56 or similar suitable means. A tapped hole 58 is provided in the frame 60 of a house window, such as the easement type. A bolt 62 passes through the turnbuckle 56 and is threaded into the tapped hole 58. In order to assure a weathertight seal between the bottom of the lower wall portion 20 and the face of thehouse window frame a weather .strip 64. is provided. This weather strip is of a generally U-shape with the legs thereof extending upwardly magnet on either side of the lower wall. portion 20' and, the bight thereof positioned along the lower edge thereof. This modification of the present invention is particularly suitable for installation of the combination window of the present invention on the inner face of casement windows. The combination windows would be shipped in the same manner as hereinbefore described. with, the weather strip 64 included in thepackage. The weather strip would be placed, in position before the'combination window was installed. In this manner, the stacking feature of the combination window of the present invention would not be disturbed by the weather strip.

From the above description it will be seen that we have provided a novel side rail for the frames of combination screen and storm windows which results in combination windows that may be stacked one upon another for ease in shipment and handling. It will be seen that frames made up of the side rails of the present invention provide for stacking of combination windows with protection for the glass panels of such windows while at the same time reducing the overall height of stacks of such windows in comparison with prior art devices. 7

Further advantages of the combination window manufactured according to our invention result from the details of the structural provision made for assembly of the screen in the combination window frame and the provisions made for assembly of the side rails into frames.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a combination screen and storm window: a frame for the retention, of window pane and screen elements; said frame having a side rail construction comprising a lower outermostwall in a. plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the retained window elements; an upper wall spaced inwardly therefrom in a plane substantially parallel thereto; a shoulder joining said walls; and a sideward extension at one vertical extremity of said lower wall, the thickness of said lower Wall plus the length of said extension being greater than one-half of the width of said shoulder but less than the total width thereof and the height of said lower wall being greater than the height of said upper wall whereby a plurailty of the windows may be stacked one on top of the other with the foot of said lower wall seated on said shoulder.

2. In a combination screen and storm window: a frame for the retention of window pane and screen elements; said frame having a side rail construction comprising a lower outermost wall in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the retained window elements; an upper wall spaced inwardly therefrom in a plane substantially parallel thereto; a shoulder joining said walls; a longitudinal extension projecting inwardly from the foot of said lower wall and normal thereto, the distance from the outer extremity of said lower wall to the inner extremity of said extension being greater than one-half the width of said shoulder but less than the total width thereof and the height of said lower wall being greater than the height of said upper wall whereby a plurality of the windows may be stacked one on top of the other.

3. In a combination screen and storm window: a frame for the retention of window pane and screen elements; said frame having a side rail construction comprising a lower outermost wall in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the retained window elements; an upper wall spaced inwardly therefrom in a plane substantially parallel thereto; a shoulder joining said walls; and an outward extension from the side of said lower wall at the top thereof, the thickness of said lower wall plus the length of said extension being greater than one-half the width of said shoulder plus said extension but less than the total width thereof and the height of said lower wall being greater than the height ofsaid upper wall whereby a plurality of the windows may be stacked one on top of the other.

4. A side rail as claimed in claim 1 and further characterized in that said upper wall forms the outer wall of a downwardly opening channel further defined by a top channel wall extending inwardly from the top edge of said upper wall and normal thereto and an inner side wall extending downwardly from said top channel wall at the inner extremity thereof and normal thereto, said channel being divided into two longitudinally extending portions by a central rib extending downwardly from the lower face of said top channel wall, the innermost portion of said channel being adapted to receive the periphery of a screen panel and retain the same therein and the outermost portion of said channel being adapted to receive corner brackets for assembling a plurality of said side rails into a frame.

5. A side rail as claimed in claim 4 and further charac terized in that a glass panel retaining lip extends inwardly from the lower edge of said inner side wall of said channel and normal thereto.

6. A side rail as claimed in claim 5 and further characterized in that a mounting flange extends outwardly from the bottom edge of said lower outer wall.

7. A side rail as claimed in claim 2 and further characterized in that said upper wall forms the outer wall of a downwardly opening channel further defined by a top channel wall extending inwardly from the top edge of said upper wall and normal thereto and an inner side wall extending downwardly from said top channel wall at the inner extremity thereof and normal thereto, said channel being divided into two longitudinally extending portions by a central rib extending downwardly from the lower face of said top channel wall, the innermost portion of said channel being adapted to receive the periphery of a screen panel and retain the same therein and the outermost portion of said channel being adapted to receive corner brackets for assembling a plurality of said side rails into a frame.

8. A side r-ail as claimed in claim 7 and further characterized in that a glass panel retaining lip extends inwardly from the lower edge of said inner side wall of said channel and normal thereto.

9. A side rail as claimed in claim 8 and further characterized in that a mounting flange extends outwardly from the bottom edge of said lower wall.

10. A side rail as claimed in claim 3 and further characterized in that said upper wall forms the outer wall of a downwardly opening channel further defined by a top channel wal-l extending inwardly from the top edge of said upper wall and normal thereto and an inner side wall extending downwardly from said top channel wall at the inner extremity thereof and normal thereto, said channel being divided into two longitudinally extending portions by a central rib extending downwardly from the lower face of said top channel wall, the innermost portion of said channel being adapted to receive the periphery of a screen panel and retain the same therein and the outermost portion of said channel being adapted to receive corner brackets for assembling a plurality of said side rails into a frame.

11. A side rail as claimed in claim 10 and further characterized in that a glass panel retaining lip extends inwardly from the lower edge of said inner side wall of said channel and normal thereto.

12. A side rail as claimed in claim 11 and further characterized in thata mounting flange extends outwardly from the bottom edge of said lower outer wall.

13. A frame for a combination screen and storm window comprising two side frame members each having a lower outer wall and an upper outermost wall extending in parallel planes; said upper wall being spaced inwardly from said lower wall with the bottom thereof joined to the top of said lower wall by a shoulder extending normal to the planes thereof; the distance across said frame between the inner extremities of said lower wall being greater than the distanceacro'sssaid frame between the outer extremities of-said upper wall'biit' less than the distance across said frame from the outer extremityof said upper wall on one side to the outer extremity of said lower wall on the opposite side of said frame; and said lower wall being greater in height than said upper wall.

14. A frame as claimed in claim 13 and further characterized in that: a channel defining wall extends inwardly from the upper edge of said upper wall and thence downwardly at the inner extremity thereof to define a channel opening downwardly in said frame, said channel being divided by a central rib extending longitudinally of said channel into an inner channel portion and an outer channel portion; a screen is assembled in said frame with its periphery positioned in said inner channel portion and retained therein by a retaining strip pressed into said channel over the periphery of said screen panel; and in that said frame is defined by a plurality of side frame members mitered at their ends and assembled into said frame by means of corner brackets extending into the said outer channel portion.

V 15. A frame as claimed in claim 14 and further characterized in that a glass panel retaining lip extends inwardly of said frame from the inner side walls of said channel and forms with said channel side wall a peripheral recess to removably receive the periphery of a storm Window panel and retaining means are provided on the top face of said channel to removably retain said storm window panel within said frame with retaining means extending through said clips and through the upper wall of said channel into the outer portion of said channel.

16. A frame as claimed in claim 15 and further char- 8 acterized in that a mounting flange is provided extending outwardly from the bottom of said lower wall portion andnormal thereto.

17. A frame as claimed in claim 13 and further characterized in that an extension from one side of said lower wall portion is provided at one of the vertical extremities thereof.

18. A frame as claimed in claim 13 and further characterized in that a longitudinal extension extends inwardly from the foot of said lower wall; the distance from the inner extremity of said extension to the outer extremity of said lower wall being greater than one-half of the width of said shoulder but lessthan the total width thereof.

, 19. A frame as claimed in claim 13 and further characterized in that an extension is provided outwardly from the side of said lower wall portion at the top thereof and contiguous with said shoulder portion and effectively extending said shoulder portion; the distance from the inner extremity of said lower wall portion to the outer extremity of said extension being greater than one-half of the total width of said extended shoulder but less than the total width thereof.

' 20. A frame as claimed in claim 13 and further characterized in that a longitudinal extension extends inwardly from the foot of said lower wall; and a generally U- shaped weather strip straddles the lower edge of said lower wall portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,792,918 Olsen May 21, 1957 2,810,460 Winnan Oct. 22, 1957 2,872,713 Haas Feb. 10, 1959 

